Around 200,000 eggs are made into cascarones each year by volunteers of the San Antonio Conservation Society. Though most of the cascarones are meant to be cracked over one's head, a small collection of hand-painted eggs are sold as souvenirs or memorabilia such as the ones shown in the photo. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Around 200,000 eggs are made into cascarones each year by volunteers of the San Antonio Conservation Society. Though most of the cascarones are meant to be cracked over one's head, a small collection of ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Around 200,000 eggs are made into cascarones each year by... Photo-2837226.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Around 200,000 eggs are made into cascarones each year by volunteers of the San Antonio Conservation Society. Though most of the cascarones are meant to be cracked over one's head, a small collection of hand-painted eggs are sold as souvenirs or memorabilia such as the ones shown in the photo. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Around 200,000 eggs are made into cascarones each year by volunteers of the San Antonio Conservation Society. Though most of the cascarones are meant to be cracked over one's head, a small collection of ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Around 200,000 eggs are made into cascarones each year by... Photo-2837212.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Volunteer Angelica Teneyuca places confetti inside of eggshells. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Volunteer Angelica Teneyuca places confetti inside of eggshells. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower ... more

Confetti-filled cascarones are an Easter tradition in San Antonio. Photo-2769650.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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In this March 2012 image released by Cynthia Leonor Garza, a batch of cascarones are shown at the home of Cynthia Leonor Garza in Washington, D.C. Cascarones are hollowed-out eggs that are dyed, decorated and filled with confetti, then covered with a colorful piece of tissue paper. At Easter time, families make or buy cascarones, which is Spanish for "eggshells," for crushing over each other's heads. The tradition came to the United States from Mexico, where cascarones were used during fiestas and other celebrations. In the United States, it has become primarily an Easter and Fiesta tradition. less

In this March 2012 image released by Cynthia Leonor Garza, a batch of cascarones are shown at the home of Cynthia Leonor Garza in Washington, D.C. Cascarones are hollowed-out eggs that are dyed, decorated and ... more

Photo: AP

In this March 2012 image released by Cynthia Leonor Garza, a batch... Photo-2778987.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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In this March 2012 image released by Cynthia Leonor Garza, a batch of cascarones are shown at the home of Cynthia Leonor Garza in Washington, D.C. Cascarones are hollowed-out eggs that are dyed, decorated and filled with confetti, then covered with a colorful piece of tissue paper. At Easter time, families make or buy cascarones, which is Spanish for "eggshells," for crushing over each other's heads. The tradition came to the United States from Mexico, where cascarones were used during fiestas and other celebrations. In the United States, it has become primarily an Easter and Fiesta tradition. less

In this March 2012 image released by Cynthia Leonor Garza, a batch of cascarones are shown at the home of Cynthia Leonor Garza in Washington, D.C. Cascarones are hollowed-out eggs that are dyed, decorated and ... more

Photo: AP

In this March 2012 image released by Cynthia Leonor Garza, a batch... Photo-2778986.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Judy Simon carefully applies glue to a cascarone. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Judy Simon carefully applies glue to a cascarone. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night ... more

While some think Fiesta -- particularly Night in Old San Antonio -- is the trigger for cascaron-bashing season, Easter is the real impetus behind these party eggs in the local Hispanic community. Why Easter? While the exact origin of cascarones remains shrouded in the mists of time, one written source says the broken eggshell symbolizes Christ's empty tomb, the confetti inside the joy of the resurrection. less

While some think Fiesta -- particularly Night in Old San Antonio -- is the trigger for cascaron-bashing season, Easter is the real impetus behind these party eggs in the local Hispanic community. Why Easter? ... more

Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

While some think Fiesta -- particularly Night in Old San Antonio --... Photo-407460.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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"The different colors of confetti symbolize the different kinds of graces or favors from God. When we break a cascaron over someone's head, the paper goes all over. It means God is showering you with graces." believes Sister Rosa Maria Icaza, a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. less

"The different colors of confetti symbolize the different kinds of graces or favors from God. When we break a cascaron over someone's head, the paper goes all over. It means God is showering you with graces." ... more

Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

"The different colors of confetti symbolize the different... Photo-407461.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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The tradition of the cascaron traveled from Italy to Spain, then to Mexico via Carlotta, wife of Maximilian the Emperor who ruled Mexico from 1864 to 1867. In Mexico today, cascarones pop up at almost every holiday event. less

The tradition of the cascaron traveled from Italy to Spain, then to Mexico via Carlotta, wife of Maximilian the Emperor who ruled Mexico from 1864 to 1867. In Mexico today, cascarones pop up at almost every ... more

The tradition of the cascaron traveled from Italy to Spain, then to... Photo-407465.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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One local expert says cascarones and other Easter egg-related rituals actually predate Christianity, reaching back to pagan times, when the egg represented fertility.

One local expert says cascarones and other Easter egg-related rituals actually predate Christianity, reaching back to pagan times, when the egg represented fertility.

Photo: treel@express-news.net

One local expert says cascarones and other Easter egg-related... Photo-407467.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Cascarones, painted eggshells filled with confetti, prepared by volunteers and workers with San Antonio Conversation Society, await the beginning of Fiesta at A Night in Old San Antonio Headquarters on Presa Street downtown in San Antonio. less

Cascarones, painted eggshells filled with confetti, prepared by volunteers and workers with San Antonio Conversation Society, await the beginning of Fiesta at A Night in Old San Antonio Headquarters on Presa ... more

There is no quicker way to get into the Fiesta spirit than to smash one of these confetti-filled bad boys on someone's head.

There is no quicker way to get into the Fiesta spirit than to smash one of these confetti-filled bad boys on someone's head.

There is no quicker way to get into the Fiesta spirit than to smash... Photo-4489471.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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King Antonio holds the tie he cut from Bill Mock's shirt and Rey Feo, Larry Benson, Sr. breaks a cascarone over Ramiro Cavazos as Fiesta kicks off at the Alamo with King Antonio and Rey Feo on April 18, 2013. less

King Antonio holds the tie he cut from Bill Mock's shirt and Rey Feo, Larry Benson, Sr. breaks a cascarone over Ramiro Cavazos as Fiesta kicks off at the Alamo with King Antonio and Rey Feo on April 18, ... more

Chloe Sifuentes, 3, reaches to get a cascarón out of a basket at the St. Philips College Culture Fest and Rib Cook-off in April 2009.

Chloe Sifuentes, 3, reaches to get a cascarón out of a basket at the St. Philips College Culture Fest and Rib Cook-off in April 2009.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

Chloe Sifuentes, 3, reaches to get a cascarón out of a basket at... Photo-4472991.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Decoration Chair Elizabeth Schleigh (left) accepts a batch of cascarones from another volunteer on Thursday, Apr. 19, 2012. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Decoration Chair Elizabeth Schleigh (left) accepts a batch of cascarones from another volunteer on Thursday, Apr. 19, 2012. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend ... more

Volunteers Connie Lines (seated from left), Josephine Arredondo and Judy Simon help make cascarones. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Volunteers Connie Lines (seated from left), Josephine Arredondo and Judy Simon help make cascarones. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making ... more

Volunteer Elsa Rodriguez takes eggs back to her seat to be finished as cascarones. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Volunteer Elsa Rodriguez takes eggs back to her seat to be finished as cascarones. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Volunteer Elsa Rodriguez takes eggs back to her seat to be finished... Photo-2837218.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Angie De Pena (right) and Patsy Lee do their part in filling eggshells with confetti. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Angie De Pena (right) and Patsy Lee do their part in filling eggshells with confetti. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Angie De Pena (right) and Patsy Lee do their part in filling... Photo-2837219.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Patsy Lee (left) joins other volunteers in making cascarones. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower decorations for Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). less

Patsy Lee (left) joins other volunteers in making cascarones. Practically year-round, volunteers from the San Antonio Conservation Society spend their time on making cascarones and crepe paper flower ... more

Henrietta Martinez, center, reacts to getting hit with a Cascarone next to her daughter, Patricia Alva, right, with Aaliyah Alva, 3, months, during the Battle of Flowers Parade in San Antonio on Friday, April 15, 2011. less

Henrietta Martinez, center, reacts to getting hit with a Cascarone next to her daughter, Patricia Alva, right, with Aaliyah Alva, 3, months, during the Battle of Flowers Parade in San Antonio on Friday, April ... more

Dozens of cascarones are on display for sale at La Princesa Gift Shop, a store at 1301 Culebra, Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Although the store sells the eggshells year round, demand for the product goes up during the Easter Season.

Dozens of cascarones are on display for sale at La Princesa Gift Shop, a store at 1301 Culebra, Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Although the store sells the eggshells year round, demand for the product goes up during

Confetti is the essence of every cascaron. Photo-407459.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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There are two types of people in the world: Those who carefully crack open the cascaron with their fingers and gently litter the contents upon the victim's head, and those who smash it down and grind the contents in a circular motion until bits of confetti practically become embedded in the victim's scalp. less

There are two types of people in the world: Those who carefully crack open the cascaron with their fingers and gently litter the contents upon the victim's head, and those who smash it down and grind the ... more

Photo: en

There are two types of people in the world: Those who carefully... Photo-407463.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Patricia Voorhees of Conroe and Shirley May of San Antonio abandon the traditional method of cracking cascarones on someone's head in favor of pouring out the confetti.

Patricia Voorhees of Conroe and Shirley May of San Antonio abandon the traditional method of cracking cascarones on someone's head in favor of pouring out the confetti.

Photo: EN

Patricia Voorhees of Conroe and Shirley May of San Antonio abandon... Photo-407464.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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No one can say for sure if the predecessors of modern cascarones traveled the world before becoming part of celebrations in Mexico and the Southwest, but that theory is the one most often used to explain the origins of the custom enjoyed by so many during Fiesta. less

No one can say for sure if the predecessors of modern cascarones traveled the world before becoming part of celebrations in Mexico and the Southwest, but that theory is the one most often used to explain the ... more

Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

No one can say for sure if the predecessors of modern cascarones... Photo-407466.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Files kept by the Institute of Texan Cultures point to the use of cascarones in modern mating rituals throughout Mexico and the Southwest. In the rituals, boys crush cascarones on girls' heads to indicate their interest. The more confetti a girl collects in her hair, the story goes, the more obvious her popularity. less

Files kept by the Institute of Texan Cultures point to the use of cascarones in modern mating rituals throughout Mexico and the Southwest. In the rituals, boys crush cascarones on girls' heads to indicate their ... more

Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Files kept by the Institute of Texan Cultures point to the use of... Photo-407468.59337 - San Antonio Express-News

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Cascaron mischief abounds during the opening ceremony for Fiesta 2004 in Alamo Plaza.

Cascaron mischief abounds during the opening ceremony for Fiesta 2004 in Alamo Plaza.